Going Naturale is Delicious

People are becoming more health-conscious about their food choices, but in today’s fast-paced world, many consumers give up nutrition for convenience. Customers at Au Naturale can have both. Located at 880 East 2100 South, the restaurant provides healthy, delicious and innovative menu items all served in three minutes or less.

“What we’re trying to do is blend two concepts together,” says Doug Nelson, Au Naturale co-owner. “Customers get the higher quality foods you get from a fast casual restaurant with the speed of a fast food place.”

At Au Naturale, there are no trans fatty acids, no processed meats and no deep fryers. Doug and co-owner George Metos use only whole, natural ingredients utilizing organic and local products whenever possible. All menu items have lower fat content and less sodium or calories compared to menu items at quick-service restaurants.
 
“We’ve taken things that are traditional comfort foods and made them as healthy as we can,” Doug says.
 
Customer favorites at Au Naturale include the Slow-Roasted Turkey & Avocado Wrap. This healthy special features turkey roasted and sliced at the restaurant plus avocado, mixed baby greens, tomato and Swiss cheese in a spinach lavash wrap. Lavash bread is a Middle Eastern fat-free, thin unleavened bread, perfect for wraps or pizza.

Items like pulled pork sandwiches, oven-roasted sweet potato fries, veggie sushi rolls and parmesan lavash chips encourage healthy eating without giving up great taste. 

Doug says the smoothie at Au Naturale is the “world’s best smoothie.” Made with acai berries, apple juice, bananas, frozen yogurt, strawberries and blueberries, the smoothie delivers a fantastic antioxidant boost with an amazing flavor.  Cookie sliders are made with quality Haagen-Dazs products providing cookies that are dairy-, wheat- and gluten-free.
 “(Au Naturale) has resonated very well with people,” Doug says. “It’s very contemporary and pretty upscale. You get truly delicious food but it’s also all natural ingredients. You can also get it fast. We try to get it out in three minutes.”

Au Naturale is open Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant stays open until 9 p.m. and on Sunday, hours are from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Breakfast is also served on weekdays from 6 until 10:30 a.m.  For more information, call 466-8888 or visit www.GoAuNaturale.com.

Business Highlight provided courtesy of The Valley Journals; Peri Kinder, writer.

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